A Year Later, Are We Any More Ready?

October 02, 2002|By KEITH RUSHING Daily Press

HAMPTON — An expert on hazardous-materials training told about 80 people Tuesday night that the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks made firefighters and rescue workers more aware of their vulnerability.

At the Virginia Air & Space Center, Scott Solomon -- director of hazardous-materials training for the International Association of Firefighters -- said they were also more aware of the need for additional training and equipment. Firefighters around the country have voiced a need for better communication equipment, improved breathing apparatus and safety equipment to protect them against biohazards, he said.

Solomon, of the New York City Fire Department, spoke for about 40 minutes. He said firefighters needed to communicate with one another both below ground and above ground during disasters when surrounded by concrete and steel. "We need personal tracking equipment, so we can know where firefighters are," he said.

Solomon said that though there were fairly reliable chemical-agent detectors for fire departments, more reliable equipment was needed to detect biohazards. Firefighters also need gear that's resistant to biological, chemical and radiation hazards, he said.

Solomon spoke of a divide between firefighters and the public about whether fire departments were adequately prepared to handle emergencies. "The public thinking is that firefighters have the equipment and training they need," Solomon said. But, he said, the public wasn't aware of all that's required of firefighters and rescue workers.

He said that though there's an awareness of the vulnerability of emergency workers, the public has focused on returning to normal in the past six months.

Solomon said firefighters were stressing hazardous-materials training and enhanced training for first-responders to emergencies. He said they'd also recognized the need for more practical training for new recruits.

In large cities like Houston and Los Angeles, he said, there's still a sense of uncertainty among firefighters about how prepared they are for a significant attack.

He said the New York department had staffing issues, given deaths, retirements and firefighters on leave. The department also has antiquated equipment that needs to be replaced, he said.

Solomon said that though reports shortly after Sept. 11, 2001, were very critical of New York's emergency response, some recent reports had been less critical.

New York firefighters were able to evacuate 25,000 people from the World Trade Center area -- despite the loss of nearly 3,000 people, he said.

"They can't say they'd do something differently if the same thing happened now," he said.

Keith Rushing can be reached at 247-7870 or by e-mail at krushing@dailypress.com